Zonta International Education Awards

Zonta International offers global education awards to honour individuals in a variety of fields that are making an impact in advancing gender equality and women's rights worldwide.

These awards are offered at the Club, District and International level.

  • Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship

    The JMK Women in Business Scholarship helps women pursue undergraduate and master’s degrees in business management and overcome gender barriers from the classroom to the boardroom.

  • Women in STEM Scholarship

    The Women in STEM Scholarship was established in 2022 to help women pursuing a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) degree program and demonstrate outstanding potential in their field of interest.

  • Young Women in Leadership Award

    The Young Women in Leadership (formerly Young Women in Public Affairs) was established in 1990, supporting young women that demonstrate leadership skills and commitment to public service and civic causes.

  • Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowship

    Established in 1938 to honour Amelia Earhart, a Zontian, the Fellowship awards 30 women yearly to pursuing aerospace PhD or doctoral degrees at universities worldwide.

Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship

  • Jenny Leong

    2024 WINNER

  • Tara McCarthy

    2023 WINNER

  • Clare Isaac

    2022 WINNER

  • Hannah Kneubuhler

    2021 WINNER

  • Molly Kenworthy

    2020 WNNER

The Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Award is for women studying for an undergraduate or master's degree in business, with a strong academic record and shows initiative, ambition, and a commitment to a career in business.

Since the program’s inception, Zonta has awarded up to 700 scholarships, totalling more than US$1.6 million, to more than 500 women representing 66 countries, by offering:

  • $1000 AUD to a winner at the Club Level

  • $5000 USD to 6 winners at the Zonta International Level

Women in STEM Scholarship

  • Margaux Edwards

    2023 WINNER

    Margaux is studying Mechatronics Engineering at QUT and has a passion for robotics & mentoring girls in RoboCup competitions.

  • Divya Joy

    2024 WINNER

    Divya is undertaking a Bachelor of Engineering (Software Systems) and Bachelor of Mathematics (Applied and Computational) at QUT. Her passion is cloud based computing and engages with several women in STEM organisations to build her professional network.

Women are underrepresented in many industries, however STEM remains to be a predominantly male field.

The Zonta International Women in STEM Scholarship seeks to create more opportunities and support girls in their STEM field of interest.

The recipient of the Women in STEM Scholarship will be working or studying in the field and demonstrate outstanding potential in STEM.

The successful club applicant will receive $1000 and will be submitted for a District 22 or Queensland wide winner, receiving $2000 if they are successful. Each international winner will receive $5000 USD.

Young Women in Leadership Award

The Young Women in Leadership was established by past International Zonta President Leneen Forde, of Zonta Club of Brisbane!

  • According to data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union, only 25.1% of all national parliamentarians were female as of 1 October 2020. Zonta International believes that young women are the key to women’s advancement in the field of public service.

  • Women, aged 16-19 on 1 April each year, studying at a secondary school, college or university in a Zonta district/region, or who are studying elsewhere but are citizens of a Zonta country are eligible to apply. 

  • The award will be awarded to a women able to demonstrate evidence of the following:

    • Active commitment to volunteerism.

    • Experience in local government, student government, or workplace leadership (paid or unpaid).

    • Volunteer leadership achievements.

    • Knowledge of Zonta International and its programs.

    • Support in Zonta International's mission of building a better world for women and girls.

  • The program operates at the Zonta club, district/region and international levels. Zonta clubs provide awards for club recipients, and district/region and international awards are funded by the Zonta International Foundation.

    • At the club level, award winners receive $1000 AUD

    • At the district level, recipients receive $1500 USD

    • At the international level, 10 recipients are selected from the district/region recipients to receive awards of $5,000 USD each.

    Established in 1990 by Past International President Leneen Forde, Zonta has given 971 awards, US$1,109,250, to 819 young women from 58 countries.

  • Charlotte Gillies

    2023 WINNER

    An Australian National University student, Charlotte was the Zonta Club of Brisbane winner and went on to be named as one of 31 international recipients of the award.

  • Sophie Nakamura

    2022 WINNER

    An outstanding candidate, Sophie has started her own project around sustainability called the Clothing Library, which enables students access to clothing.

Applications are open!

Amelia Earhart Fellowship

Established in 1938 to honour Amelia Earhart, a Zontian, the Fellowship awards 30 women yearly to pursuing aerospace PhD or doctoral degrees at universities worldwide.

  • Globally, women make up around 25 percent of the workforce in the aerospace industry. In an effort to carry out its mission that women have access to all resources and are represented in decision-making positions on an equal basis with men, Zonta International offers the Amelia Earhart Fellowship.

  • Awarded annually, up to 30 women pursuing Ph.D. or doctoral degrees in aerospace-applied sciences or aerospace-applied engineering. It may be used at any university or college offering accredited post-graduate courses and degrees in these fields.

  • The Amelia Earhart Fellowship offers US$10,000 to be used at any university or college offering accredited post-graduate courses and degrees in aerospace applied science or engineering fields.

    Since the program’s inception in 1938, Zonta has awarded 1,603 Amelia Earhart Fellowships, totalling more than US$10.3 million, to 1,174 women representing 73 countries.

  • Closing dates for application go to the Zonta International website.

  • The full list of international winners can be found on the Zonta International website.